AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A smile spread over her face. “I already promised to help with the tree. That sounds nice.”
I’d keep her involved with me and my family, and she wouldn’t have any time to peruse dating apps. At least not until after the holidays, and hopefully, by then, I’d have made progress. But just the thought of telling Hanna how I felt had my heart thumping in my chest. I’d lived in fear of losing her, and that hadn’t gone away. If anything, it had only intensified. The stakes were high, but I didn’t want to lose my chance with her.
CHAPTER 3
HANNA
I woke up slowly, reveling in the soft flannel of Sebastian’s guest room sheets. For someone who didn’t like the holidays, he’d outfitted the bed in a festive holiday print. Although, I had a feeling it was his mom who’d provided the linens.
As long as I’d known Sebastian, he’d been apathetic about the holidays. He did what he needed to for Ember, but he maintained that working on the farm sucked all the excitement for the season out of him.
I could understand that, but I wanted him to remember what it was like to be a little kid opening presents on Christmas morning again, the anticipation, the excitement, the joy when you got exactly what you asked for.
I rolled over and tucked my hands under my cheek. I’d wanted Sebastian Monroe for as long as I could remember. I’d been asking for him under my tree since we were teenagers, but my wish hadn’t come true.
I sighed. Would this finally be my year to find someone who could love me back? I felt pathetic pining after a man who’d never see me as more than his friend. But on the other hand, he’d been so sweet last night. The memory of him ushering me out of the ballroom and onto the balcony, giving me his jacket, and holding me while we watched the snow fall made my heart squeeze.
When I’d mentioned how nice it would be to have lights on his tree, Sebastian had immediately agreed to grab them, and we strung them on the branches together. He didn’t think Ember would mind missing out on that task, since he normally did it when she was sleeping.
I’d appreciated that he’d done it for me, and not just Ember. It meant he was willing to open his heart to the season. If he was willing to do that, maybe he’d see the unwrapped present that was right in front of him.
I’d promised myself I’d make a good-faith effort to find someone who felt the same way about me that I felt about them. It was time for me to move on from this ridiculous crush.
My door flew open, and Ember jumped on the bed, her curls bouncing in the air. “Wake up, sleepyhead. We’re making pancakes.”
I heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. “Ember, I told you not to bother Hanna. She’s sleeping.”
“I was awake,” I said to Ember as she came to a stop on her knees at the foot of the bed.
“See, Daddy, she was already awake,” Ember said as he came into the room and leaned a shoulder on the doorjamb, his lips twitching into a smile.
“Even if that’s true, you can’t just run into someone else’s room. You have to knock first and ask if it’s okay for you to come in.”
Ember tipped her head to the side, and her curls fell over her shoulder. “Miss Hanna, is it okay if I come in?”
I couldn’t help the laugh that slid out. “Of course.”
“It’s a little too late now,” Sebastian mumbled as Ember jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.
“Don’t jump off the bed. You could get hurt. You want to have a broken leg for Christmas?” Sebastian called after her.
I had a feeling he said that line to her often, and it had little to no effect on her.
Sebastian shook his head. “I’m sorry about that.”
I sat up in the bed, and his gaze dropped to my white tank top, where my nipples were probably visible. I’d forgotten I’d taken off the flannel top sometime during the night because I was hot. I reached for it and drew it over my shoulders, buttoning it. “I was already awake when she flew in here.”
Sebastian shook his head, and I wondered if it was to rid himself of the vision of my chest, or if he’d noticed it at all. “Let me try again. Would you like to come downstairs and help us make pancakes?”
I smiled. “I’d love to.”
“Please take your time getting ready. You’re a guest here. I don’t expect you to cook or hang out with us all the time.”
I untangled myself from the blankets and stood on the soft carpet in front of him. “I’d like to join you for breakfast. It sounds like you have the perfect day planned. Pancakes, pajamas, and Christmas tree decorating.”
He scowled. “I forgot about the tree decorating.”
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
